Petroleum Engineers

17-2171.00

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
• Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
• Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
• Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
• Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
• Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
• Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
• Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
• Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
• Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.
• Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.
• Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
• Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.
• Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
• Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.
• Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models.
• Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations.
• Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted.
• Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed.
• Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment.
• Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them.
• Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles.
• Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Computer Modelling Group CMG STARS; eProduction Solutions PanSystem; Finite element analysis FEA software; Google Analytics 🔥; IHS Petra; Neotec WELLFLO; SAS 🔥; Schlumberger ECLIPSE; Schlumberger Petrel E&P; Schlumberger PVTi; TERRASCIENCES TerraStation; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥; TRC Consultants PHDWin; Well Flow Dynamics Wellflow
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - TIBCO Spotfire
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥; Dassault Systemes CATIA
• Data base user interface and query software - Landmark Graphics TOW/cs; Microsoft Access 🔥; Oracle Database 🔥; Structure query language SQL
• Development environment software - Eclipse IDE 🔥; Microsoft Visual Studio 🔥; Software development tools
• Electronic mail software - IBM Notes; Microsoft Outlook 🔥
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; SAP software 🔥
• Financial analysis software - DFA Capital Management GEMS; GeoGraphix ARIES Portfolio; IHS QUE$TOR
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C# 🔥; C++ 🔥; Oracle Java 🔥; Python 🔥; R 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Linux 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; Oracle Primavera Systems
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Determine operational methods.
• Direct energy production or management activities.
• Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations.
• Develop technical methods or processes.
• Maintain operational records or records systems.
• Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data.
• Resolve operational performance problems.
• Direct quality control activities.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
• Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems.
• Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information.
• Direct design or development activities.
• Prepare technical reports for internal use.
• Interpret design or operational test results.
• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
• Create models of engineering designs or methods.
• Design environmental control systems.
• Inspect equipment or systems.
• Direct installation activities.
• Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
• Collect samples of raw materials or finished products.
• Design industrial equipment.
• Research advanced engineering designs or applications.